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From computation to black holes and space-time foam

Y. Jack Ng
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Abstract

We show that quantum mechanics and general relativity limit the speed $\tildeν$ of a simple computer (such as a black hole) and its memory space $I$ to $\tildeν^2 I^{-1} \lsim t_P^{-2}$, where $t_P$ is the Planck time. We also show that the life-time of a simple clock and its precision are similarly limited. These bounds and the holographic bound originate from the same physics that governs the quantum fluctuations of space-time. We further show that these physical bounds are realized for black holes, yielding the correct Hawking black hole lifetime, and that space-time undergoes much larger quantum fluctuations than conventional wisdom claims -- almost within range of detection with modern gravitational-wave interferometers.

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BibTeXRIS

Y. Jack Ng. 2001-03-30. From computation to black holes and space-time foam. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.86.2946

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